For more than 30 years, Laura Ribbins has been at the forefront of fitness, movement, and holistic wellness in the Cayman Islands.
As the owner and founder of Fitness Connection, she has built a welcoming space where people of all ages – from three-week-old babies to seasoned athletes – can learn to swim, strengthen their bodies, and embrace a lifelong love of movement.
“My journey in fitness began long before I opened Fitness Connection,” she recalls. “Raised in an active family, I was encouraged to spend as much time outdoors as possible, hiking, fishing, camping, and exploring. This love for movement and nature became the foundation for a career dedicated to helping others experience the benefits of an active lifestyle.”
TEACHING AND INNOVATION
Laura’s expertise spans swim instruction, aquatic fitness, and landbased fitness training.
At Fitness Connection, she has personally coached babies taking their first dips in the water, many of whom fell in love with it as a unique environment and playground. This early foundation not only builds their confidence and strength, but has also inspired many to pursue competitive swimming – and Laura is proud to say that several of them went on to become Olympians representing the Cayman Islands.
“I believe that the water is a powerful equaliser, a space where babies develop strength, rehabilitation is supported, and athletes enhance their performance through resistance-training unique to aquatic fitness,” she says.
OUT OF THE POOL
Out of the pool, Laura has spent decades leading fitness classes both indoors and outdoors, always striving to stay ahead of the curve.
She is an educator at heart, continuously learning and implementing new techniques, from spinning to functional fitness, ensuring her clients have access to the best training methodologies available.
During the pandemic, she took her expertise beyond the gym and pool, stepping onto virtual stages, corporate platforms, and online communities to spread her message of holistic health. This led to the creation of Wellness Warriors Ignite, a membership programme she co-founded with Dara Lee Simmons.
FITNESS CONNECTION
What started as one of just two fitness centres in the Cayman Islands, Fitness Connection has grown into a well-established hub known for its home-away-from-home atmosphere.
“It is a close-knit community exercise group where people feel comfortable, supported, and motivated to work on their health and wellness,” says Laura.
A key part of this success is the team working alongside Laura. Many of the island’s top fitness professionals started their careers at Fitness Connection – learning, teaching, and earning their certifications as aerobics instructors and personal trainers through courses led by Laura.
Her passion for education and mentorship has helped shape the fitness industry in Cayman, and she is delighted to reignite these certification programmes in 2025, ensuring that the next generation of trainers is equipped with the knowledge and skills to succeed.
EMPOWERING PEOPLE
Laura’s passion for movement extends into corporate wellness and public speaking, where she shares critical health insights with business owners, entrepreneurs and professionals.
She emphasises that sitting for more than six hours a day can increase the risk of heart disease by 63%, along with higher risks of cancer, diabetes, and high blood pressure.
But she also reassures people that movement doesn’t have to be extreme; it can be as simple as standing up, stretching, walking around, or shifting small habits daily.
Her focus on holistic health includes not just movement but mindset and nutrition. She advocates for self-care, whether it’s taking a moment to breathe, journaling, making mindful food choices, or simply connecting with nature by putting your feet in the sand.
AUTHOR AND ADVOCATE
Beyond fitness and coaching, Laura is a published author. During the pandemic, she contributed to two Amazon best-belling books, in which she shared her experiences as a single mother, entrepreneur, and wellness advocate.
Her chapters are ‘Finding your voice – The power of self-expression and self-confidence’ and ‘Orchestrating Life as a single mom & business owner – Balancing business and personal life while thriving’.
Proceeds from these books are donated to the Cayman Islands Crisis Centre, reinforcing Laura’s commitment to giving back to the community. Copies are available for purchase at Fitness Connection, with all funds going directly to support this cause.
TIPS FROM LAURA
Laura has created the free guide ‘Five Ways to Lose 5 Pounds Easily’ which explains how to:
- Move more without spending hours at the gym.
- Make easy, smart food swaps without dieting.
- Stay hydrated and energised for better metabolism.
- Shift your mindset for lasting results.
- Take immediate actionable steps without being overwhelmed.
Download the guide at wellnesswarriorsignite.com/page/5pounds
This article originally appeared in Compass Media’s 2025 CayWoman newspaper supplement.
Related Videos
Laura is an icon in the health and wellness sector. She has looked after us for decades and no-one does it better, hopefully she will be able to contnue for decades to come.